Because it needs to be simple. Only 500 members allowed etc. It strikes as 'why should they get something I don't'. I'll happily let them buy the dinted beans for their kids at Christmas.
Because according to the man behind it, this is pilot project that will be open to the people who are working but on lower incomes in the future. To get things moving it's easier to identify people who are on benefits rather than means test everyone who wants to join. Small steps and all that. I honestly think it's a socially aware and just thing to do. The problem is not that people out of work get too much help, it's that people who only earn a low income but do work are NOT being helped. Still it's much simpler to point a finger at those on benefits than to tackle the real social inequalities.
Having read many comments on the We Are Barnsley facebook page today about this I despair about the lack of compassion in Barnsley. At least the majority of comments on this thread aren't like that. I think it's a great idea, yes I'm sure some may abuse the system but if they do and it's proved they can remove the card from them. Overall it's a great scheme and at the moment it's a pilot hence only 500 members. It's food that would otherwise be dumped and we, as a country, throw far too much away, so I'm happy if this can actually go to help someone. Many negative comments I've seen seem to be along the lines of "well, if I can't have it I don't see why someone else should". It's a private company so it's not being funded by government, it's not coming out of you taxes, so to me it doesn't make one iota of difference whether this place exists or not - good luck to them. It seems to me that the Tories are succeeding in getting ordinary folk to turn against each other rather than looking at the real reasons why places like this are unfortunately required.
As someone whose partner actually works there , I can tell you that is impossible, plus they do not have all those things either.
This thread is a classic example of Conservatism at its best/worst. keep saying something long enough and loud enough , people will start to believe it and turn on the ones that are the easiest targets, whilst leaving the fatcat to carry on ripping off everyone and whilst the poor are squabbling over who can get the out of date and damaged stuff, they will be eating caviar and quail !! Some of the people on this board need to take a Fecking good look at themselves !!!!
Instead of picking faults with a genuine attempt to help the needy Why don't we all ponder on this in the context of folk unable to feed themselves properly ? http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/17/made-...hews-blows-almost-500000-on-bar-bill-4189672/
Re: Instead of picking faults with a genuine attempt to help the needy I do hope you realise that isn't even true. He said they made a mistake and he posted it as a joke to friends.
Where exactly does Conservatism come into it exactly? People don't think it's fair that people who already get free prescriptions, dental treatment, glasses etc get discount groceries as well whereas people on minimum wage get none of that and as a result end up poorer even though they're the ones getting up and going to work every day.
How the hell are you supposed to spend half a million on a bar bill? Some dumb journos working at the Metro.
As much as I take your point, getting free prescriptions, dental care and glasses don't mean anything if you can't afford food to eat. You've got to get the basics first before you can even begin to think about any of that. None of those things you mentioned puts money in their pocket to enable them to buy food, so they may be better off in the long run if they need those things, but in the short term, at least people who are on minimum wage can afford to eat and so survive (and they may have to wait a while for glasses/a gold tooth). Yes I know, people working should have a better quality of life than healthy, non working people.
These supermarkets are a fantastic idea and work brilliantly in the US course there's always those full of hate but oh hum.
You could increase the minimum wage by 30% but it'll change **** all. Until people are educated about money then the same problems will continue to exist in society.
Course we could just let the undeserving poor live on Red Cross parcels like the 3rd world country we are becoming. Increase minimum wage to living wage. Rent controls. Build social housing. Would decrease the benefits bill. Most of it goes to people in work not those out of work.